The faint howls from the forest followed them like a warning as Hiro, Jason, and the cloaked woman—**Seren**—approached the outskirts of Farenwood. The village was in shambles. Smoke curled into the gray sky from charred homes, and makeshift barricades lined the streets, manned by frightened villagers clutching worn weapons.

Jason whistled softly, his voice breaking the eerie silence.

Jason: "Wow... this place looks like it’s been through a war zone."

Seren adjusted her cloak, her sharp eyes scanning the scene.

Seren: "It’s worse than it looks. The fear is eating them alive. Every night, they wait for the next attack, wondering if it will be their last."

Hiro’s expression remained calm but intense.

Hiro: "Let’s find the elder. If what you said is true, we’ll need answers quickly."

Meeting Eldrin

Inside the elder’s home, the air was thick with despair. Maps and hastily scribbled notes covered a table in the center of the room, and Eldrin, a wiry man with weathered features, stood over them. His hands trembled slightly as he traced routes with his finger.

Seren stepped forward, her voice steady.

Seren: "Eldrin, I found help. These two might be what we need."

The elder’s sharp eyes studied Hiro and Jason, taking in their weapons and demeanor.

Eldrin: (gruffly) "You’ve picked a bad time to visit Farenwood. The demons don’t care about good intentions."

Jason crossed his arms, a smirk tugging at his lips.

Jason: "Good thing we’re not here to just look pretty. We’ve handled demons before."

Hiro shot Jason a warning glance before stepping forward.

Hiro: "We came because of the rumors. Demons attacking, families targeted. Tell us what’s going on."

Eldrin sighed heavily, his shoulders sagging.

Eldrin: "It started small. One or two demons here and there. Then, about a month ago, everything changed. The attacks became relentless—larger groups, more organized. Entire families wiped out in a single night. It’s like they’re hunting for something."

Jason frowned, leaning against the wall.

Jason: "And you’re sure they’re working together? Demons aren’t exactly known for teamwork."

Seren’s voice cut through the tension.

Seren: "They’re being led. I’ve felt its presence. Something powerful—a Second-Grade Demon."

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Hiro’s amber eyes narrowed.

Hiro: "Second-Grade Demons don’t just wander into villages. What’s it doing here?"

Eldrin shook his head.

Eldrin: "We don’t know. All we know is that we can’t hold out much longer. If something isn’t done, Farenwood will fall."

Jason exchanged a glance with Hiro, his voice unusually serious.

Jason: "Then we’d better get moving. Where do we start?"

Investigating the Attack Sites

Hiro, Jason, and Seren made their way to the outskirts of the village, where the latest attack had left nothing but ruin. Claw marks gouged deep into walls, burned wood smoldered faintly, and the metallic tang of blood lingered in the air.

Seren knelt by a collapsed fence, running her fingers over the marks.

Seren: "These strikes aren’t random. They knew where to hit—fast, precise, lethal."

Hiro crouched beside her, his expression thoughtful.

Hiro: "They’re not just attacking—they’re hunting. But what’s the connection between the families they’re targeting?"

Jason poked at a pile of ash with his boot, his brow furrowing.

Jason: "Maybe it’s just bad luck. Or maybe this Second-Grade Demon has some kind of twisted grudge."

Seren stood, pulling her cloak tighter.

Seren: "Whatever it is, it’s not done. It’s testing us, waiting for the right moment to strike again."

The group fell silent as they moved toward the forest edge, the air growing colder with each step.

Jason: (nervously) "Is it just me, or is this forest getting creepier by the second?"

Hiro: (calmly) "Stay sharp. We’re not alone."

The Ambush

The first attack came like a blur—shadows lunging from the trees with glowing red eyes and jagged claws.

Hiro reacted instantly, summoning his Eon Spear and driving it into the nearest demon.

Hiro: "Jason, keep Seren covered!"

Jason grinned, flames igniting in his hands.

Jason: "On it!"

He launched a Hell Blast, the fireball exploding on impact and scattering the demons. Seren moved with precision, her dagger flashing as she slashed at the smaller creatures.

Hiro focused on a larger demon, using Gravity Crush to slam it into the ground before finishing it off with his spear.

Hiro: "Jason, left flank!"

Jason pivoted, blasting another demon with flames before propelling himself into the air with Blaze Boost, slamming down on the last attacker. The fight ended as quickly as it had begun, leaving the group panting in the clearing.

Seren wiped her blade clean, her voice grim.

Seren: "That wasn’t a random attack. They knew we were coming."

Hiro knelt by one of the fallen demons, his sharp eyes scanning its body. He noticed faint symbols carved into its skin, pulsing faintly with a dark energy.

Hiro: "These markings... they’re not natural. They’ve been altered, controlled by something—or someone."

Jason: (scowling) "Let me guess. Your Second-Grade Demon?"

Seren nodded, her voice low.

Seren: "It has to be. These demons aren’t just mindless—they’re soldiers."

Interrogating the Captured Demon

One demon, barely clinging to life, let out a weak growl as Hiro approached. He crouched, his voice cold and commanding.

Hiro: "Who’s controlling you? Why are you attacking Farenwood?"

The demon’s voice was guttural, rasping with effort.

Demon: "The... Second-Grade Demon... commands us... the village will fall... just like the others."

Seren’s fists clenched, her voice trembling with anger.

Seren: "Others? How many villages has it destroyed?"

The demon let out a guttural laugh before its body crumbled into ash, leaving behind only silence.

Jason: (quietly) "Well, that’s not ominous at all."

Hiro stood, his expression hard.

Hiro: "We need to get back to Farenwood. If this demon is commanding them, we’ll need a plan."

The Next Step

The group returned to Farenwood as the sun dipped below the horizon. The distant howls of demons echoed through the forest, a chilling reminder of what was to come.

Jason: (trying to lighten the mood) "So, anyone else feel like this whole thing is spiraling into something way bigger than we signed up for?"

Hiro: (quietly) "This isn’t just about Farenwood. It’s the first step in something far worse."

Jason: (his tone sharpening) "Then we’ll be the ones to stop it—before it steps any further."

The group pushed through the gates of the village, their resolve hardening. The distant howls of demons echoed through the darkening forest, a reminder that the enemy wasn’t waiting for them to be ready. They would have to fight—not just for Farenwood, but for everything beyond it.

End of Chapter 3: Shadows of Farenwood